Audio by track 1

This melodic death metal band from Washington D.C. knows as Darkest Hour has had multiple successful and bad ass songs.  But there is one song that particularly stands out from their Deliver Us Album that was released in 2007.  MetalCallOut brings you Doomsayer [The Beginning Of The End] .

Sometime in the fall of 2001 Patrick Pintavalle and Jamie Stewart founded what would soon be a complete line up of The Absence. Then sometime in 2007 they released what would be our favorite album here at Metal Call Out, Riders of the Plague. Here is the first song off of that album " Riders of the Plague". There is not a lot to report about these guys, their formula is pretty cut and dry: make good melodic death metal.

Just last week, the sixth studio album and follow up to “Deliver Us” ("The Eternal Return") for D.C. natives Darkest Hour dropped at the 104th spot on U.S. popular music charts. Darkest Hour has done quite well at staying fresh and reinventing themselves enough but not too much. Usually anything these guys touch is gold, but this new album fell a little short for me.

DevilDriver is back again with the new album Pray For Villians (2009). The album contains most of the pieces you would find in a DevilDriver album. All the band members pieces are there, but there's something missing in the DevilDriver Pray for Villains album.

Thats right kiddies! For our very first music gear giveaways EVER, we have, for your listening satisfaction: Both Beneath the Heel of Oppression and A Conquest Triumphant. All you have to do to enter to win this is, (a) register with Metal Call-Out and (b) leave a comment on a With Faith or Flames entry on the site, telling us what you think! Remember we are always open for suggestions here and love feedback from you guys! The winner will be announced at the end of the month.

36 Crazyfists have been on a long road to create some great metal music.  Going through different trials, band members and deaths (JD Stuart – bass (died in a car accident in July, 1996) ).  But moving forward and continuing their style of play.  In tribute from them coming off their latest tour, Metal Call-Out brings you The All Night Lights from their latest album The Tide and Its Takers.

3 Inches Of Blood Battles and Brotherhood is a new song from their new album coming out September 8th 2009 entitled Here Waits Thy Doom.  This song has everything you would expect out of 3 Inches Of Blood.  Fast riffs, beats and classic rock vocals.  Oh there will be "Blood Shed, Death and Vengeance is Glorious."  Watch for 3 Inches of Blood on tour with In Flames, Between The Buried And Me and Faceless.

Arkaea is a new developed band with familiar members. Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drum) from “Fear Factory” and Jon Howard (vocal) and Pat Kavanaugh (bass) from “Threat Signal” have joined forces to create album entitled Years In the Darkness.

Gama Bomb is an Irish, thrash metal crossover band based mainly in the UK.  Formed in 2002, Gama Bomb, with the help of heavy touring made themselves a name and solid fan base in the UK and surrounding areas. Then in 2006 Gama Bomb released their first studio album “Survival of the Fastest” on Witches Brew Records. Shortly after, Gama Bomb signed to Earache Records.

Sleeping in Gethsemane
From: Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Albums: “The Great White North” (2007), “Burrows: (2009)

Sleeping in Gethsemane is an experimental, instrumental band featuring Brandon S. on Bass, Shane H. on Drums and Brandon L. on Guitar. Sleeping in Gethsemane has released two albums as of April 7th, 2009. The first being “The Great White North” in 2007 and the latest 2009 release “Burrows” available  through INIT Records.

SIG is a wonderfully diverse and talented post metal/hardcore band in the vein of Mouth of the Architect and Pelican. “Burrows” is an album that needs to be listened to from beginning to end to grasp the full scope of the bands diversity. 

Links: www.myspace.com/sleepingingethsemane

Greta Knights
From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Albums:  “Trance Formers” (2009)

A melodic "Techno/Nintendo" deathcore band, Greta Knights is a 3 piece with Remi on Vocals, Shawn on Guitars/Synthesizer, and Pat on Percussion. Greta Knights has one album “Trance Formers” self-released in 2009

Greta Knights is a wonderfully fun, if not some times over the top band that not only created a genre, but cornered it. For fans of 1000 Dead Rabbits, Sky Eats Airplane, Horse the Band, 8-bit and Nintendo.

 Links: http://www.myspace.com/gretaknights

Wintersun 
From: Finland
 
Discography: “Wintersun” (2004) “Time” (2010- expected)
 
Wintersun was supposed to be a side project of Ensiferum member Jari Mäenpää but due to scheduling conflicts Jari quit Ensiferum and Wintersun became his full time project. Wintersun is currently signed to Nuclear Blast records and features the following members:
 
Jari Mäenpää - Vocals, Guitars
Teemu Mäenpää- Guitar
Jukka Koskinen- Bass
Kai Hahto- Drums
 
Wintersun’s blend of power, viking, folk, and death metal makes for an all around ear pleasing and enjoyable listening experience. While we were sad to see Jari leave Ensiferum, Petri Lindroos(ex-Norther) is a great fit and we think everything worked out the way it should. 
 
Links: www.myspace.com/wintersun

Disarmonia Mundi
From: Turin, Italy
 
Discography:  “ Nebularium” (2001),  “Fragments of D-Generation” (2004), “Mind Tricks” (2006),  “The Restless Memoirs” (2009), “The Isolation Game” (November 2009)
 
Disarmonia Mundi is a melodic -death metal band that has its roots in progressive metal. DM was founded in early 2000 by Ettore Rigotti.  The Band has gone through numerous line up changes its current members are:
 
Ettore Rigotti- Guitar/ Drums/ Clean Vocals/ Bass/ Keyboards
Cladio Ravinale- Gothic Vocals/ Keyboards
 
In November of 2009 the band will release its fifth studio album “The Isolation Game” on Scarlet Records. 
 
Disarmonia Mundi is an ever progressing, ever evolving group with more talent packed into their two bodies than far too many bands have in their entire line up. Their albums shift and change with every turn making them enjoyable and attention grabbing releases, each more so than the last. For fans of progressive death metal, Blinded Colony and Scar Symmetry.
 
Links: www.myspace.com/disarmoniamundi

Neuraxis
From: Canada

Discography: “Truth/Imagery/Passage” (2004), “Truth Beyond” (2002) “Trilateral Progression” (2005), “Live Progression” (2007), “The Thin Line Between” (2008)

Neuraxis is a technical/ melodic death metal band, formed in 1994 by Steven Henry, Yan Thiel and Felipe Angel Quinzanos. As of 2004 there are no original members left and the musicians:
 
Rob Miley- Guitar
Will Seghers- Guitars
Alex Leblac- Vocals
 
These musicians make up the band currently. They are signed to Prosthetic Records.
 
Neuraxis has a very unique style combining elements of tech and melodeath elements with a progressive edge. For fans of Anata, and Odious Mortem. 
 
Links: www.myspace.com/neuraxis

Imperanon
From: Helsinki, Finland

Discography: “Stained” (2004)
 
Imperanon was a melodic death/ power metal band that formed in 1999. The band released several demos but only one full length. They were signed to Nuclear Blast. The members:
 
Aleksi Sihvonen- vocals, guitar
Teemu Mantysaari- guitars
Aki Hopeasaari-bass
Jaakko Nylund- drums
Aleksi Virta- keyboards
 
They have gone on to be in such bands as Medicated, Nother, and Wintersun.
 
Imperanon is a great starting point for fans of Wintersun and Norther. I would have liked to see more of them in action but rumor had it that Nuclear Blast would not renew their contract due to the majority of the members being in other bands. Its a bit rare to come across but try to get your hands on “Stained” or any demos you can find, you wont be disappointed. 
 
Links: www.myspace.com/imperanon

Insomnium                                                                                              
From: Joensuu, Finland
 
Discography: “In the Halls Awaiting” (2002), “Since the Day it All Came Down” (2004), “Above the Weeping World” (2006), “Across the Dark” (2009)
 
Insomnium is a melodic death metal band that was formed in 1997. Since the beginning Insomnium has steadily evolved their style of music, drawing influences from doom and symphonic metal. They are currently signed to Candlelight with the following members:
 
Niilo S.- vocals
Ville F.- guitar
Villi V. guitar
Marcus H.- drums
 
Insomnium is an amazingly talented band that creates a high energy blend of symphonic, doom and classic death metals not soon forgotten. Whether the band is relating about sorrow, and loss or quoting classic poets like Holderlin, and Poe, their lyrics are a deeply important piece of the whole picture. For fans of Dark Tranquillity, Kalmah, or Eternal Tears of Sorrow.  
 
Links: www.insomnium.net
           www.myspace.com/insomniumband

Svartsot
From: Randers, Denmark

Discography: Ravenes Saga (2007)
 
Svartsot is a folk metal band that formed in 2005 and after releasing the demos, “Svundne Tider” and "Tvende Ravne", in 2006 was signed to Napalm Records. In 2008 the band purged itself of over half its members citing “creative differences”. The current line up is a follows:
 
Thor Bager- vocals
Cristoffer Frederiksen- lead guitar, mandolin
Cliff Nemanim- rhythm guitar
James Atkin- bass
Danni Jelsgaard- drums
Hans-Jorgen Martinus Hansen- Iris whistles, accordion
Stewart C. Lewis- whistles, bodhran, axes
 
Svartsot is part of the new wave of folk metal bands, and as such I love them. They share similar sounds with Ensiferum and Blackguard, but add their own twist of stylized heathen fun. Don’t pass Svartsot up just because you cant easily pronounce their name at your local record shop.
 

Links: www.myspace.com/svartsot

Hypocrisy
From: Sweden
 
Discography: “Penetralia” (1992), “Osculum Obscenum (1993), “The Fourth Dimension” (1994), “Abducted” (1996), “The Final Chapter” (1997), “Hypocrisy” (1999), “Into The Abyss “(2000), “Catch 22” (2002), “The Arrival” (2004), “Virus” (2005), “Catch 22 (V2.0.08)” (2008), “A Taste of Extreme Divinity” (2009)
 
Hypocrisy is a death metal band that was formed in 1990. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records and have twelve albums, four EPs, and numerous tours under their belts. The bands lyrics have typically dealt with aliens and abductions, however in 2005’s “Virus”, the lyrics took to a more “death metal” direction with songs about death, war and emotional struggles.  Current line up is:
 
Peter Tagtgren- vocals, guitar, and synthesizer
Mikkael Hedlund- bass
Reidar Horghagen- drums
 
What could I possibly say about Hypocrisy to do them justice? They are a classic and like a fine wine, get better with age. The death metal genre would not be the same with out Hypocrisy’s influence, and ability to stand the test of time. Their latest album, “A Taste of Extreme Divinity”, is a brilliant work of art, for fans of At the Gates and Bloodbath.
 

Links: www.hypocrisy.tv

Such Vengeance
From: Orem, Utah
 
Discography: “The Time Is Now” (2009)
 
Such Vengeance is a death/thrash metal band formed in May of 2008. Their debut album,“The Time Is Now” was self recorded, produced and distributed. SV is:
 
Ian Eskelson - Vocals
Derrick Dennert - Guitar
Conor Papineau - Guitar
Josh Hone - Bass
Eric Watson – Drums
 
Such Vengeance really surprised me when I first put their CD in. I have a really nasty habit of not expecting much when it comes to local (Utah) bands, and this is the second time I have had to pull my foot out of my mouth. SV ‘s album is one that comes from a group who’s dedicated is to music and not “the scene”. SV is a stand out act amongst a plethora of bands that seem to only have it in their mind to be the next ____(whatever). Such Vengeance is the next Such Vengeance. If you live in Utah, go pick up one of their CDs at a Greywhale location, if you are from out of state, there is a link at the bottom.
 
Links: www.myspace.com/389800008  

CD: www.cdbaby.com/cd/SuchVengeance

Exivious
From: Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
 
Discography: “Exivious” (2009)
 
Exivious is a fusion-metal band featuring members of Cynic and Textures. The band released their first album “Exivious” independently in digipack limited to 1000 numbered copies with their own unique artwork. Exivious is:
 
Tymon- guitar
Michel Niehuis- guitar
Robin Zielhorst- bass
Stef Broks- drums
 
I never heard of “fusion-metal” before Exivios- in fact I imagine they made the term up to suit their newfound hybrid baby. Not smoky enough to be jazz, not lazy enough to be lounge, not aggressive enough to call themselves metal, and yet they are all of the above. Exivious isn’t on another level - Exivious is another level. This is for open-minded fans of progressive metal, or those that enjoy the sounds of Animals as Leaders.
 
Links: www.myspace.com/exivious

Amorphis
From: Finland
 
Discography: “The Karelian Isthums” (1992), Tales From the Thousand Lakes” (1994), “Elegy” (1996), “Tuonela” (1999), “Am Universum” (2001), “Far From The Sun” (2003), “Eclipse” (2006), “Silent Waters” (2007), “Skyforger” (2009)
 
Amorphis started as a melodic death metal band, but in more recent years their style incorporates elements of progressive and doom metal. Formed in 1990, Amorphis recorded four studio albums with vocalist Pasi Koskinen. In 2004 after recording “Far From The Sun”, Pasi left the band. Vocalist Tomi Joutsen of Sinsthra then joined the band and aided in the bands increasingly progressive shift into more diverse styles. The most current line up of Amorphis is:
 
Tomi Joutsen- vocals
Esa Holopainen- guitar
Tomi Koivusaari- guirar
Niclas Etlavuori- bass
Santeri Kallio- keyboards
Jan Rechberger- drums
 

I love Amorphis because its kind of like getting two bands in one. From 1992-2003 you have a very progressive, hateful, melodic death metal band that showed steady betterment through the years and helped define a genre. Then from 2006’s “Eclipse” on you have a more defined, groundbreaking, Kalevala inspired work of progressive metal awesomeness. Got out and get “Tales From The Thousand Lakes” then “Skyforger” then everything in between. Amorphis will attract fans of Sentenced, Katatonia and Insomnium. 

Everyone needs a little depressive music to help cope with the long winter months ahead, unless of course you are just north or south of the equator. And Catacombs ‘In the Depths of R’lyeh’ is just such an album. Clocking in at over an hour in total each track on the record, most of them well over the ten-minuet mark create an atmosphere as deep and seemingly impossible as the Lovecraft works that inspired them.      ... read on

Disarmonia Mundi is an Italian band that pound for pound has consistently released solid albums and ‘The Isolation Game’ (due out December 9th) is no exception.  Having not seen much new material from the band since 2006’s  ‘Mind Tricks’, fans will be please to have something, anything new to plug in. But don’t get too excited—while ‘Isolation...’ is a stable record here I sit, three tracks into my second listening and I am board. There is a collective of bands ie; Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, Blinded Colony and Disarmonia Mundi that since the 90s and despite the fact they boast some very talented musicians and song writing- just keep releasing the same stuff. I don’t mind checking it out- however, there are just so many innovative, groundbreaking melodic-death metal bands out there, that I am left to question, why should I listen to this album? Well, I probably wont.

Hieronymus Bosch is a name that is familiar to French art enthusiasts everywhere.  But for those of us in this seedy underworld, the name should be synonymous instead--with great technical death metal. Hailing from Moscow Russia, they made a name for themselves after being the first Russian band to play in the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Finland. Hieronymus Bosch has been around since 1993 (!) but I'm willing to bet that most of you, dear readers, have never even heard of them.  Today, lets change that and swim in the sonic canvas that is their awesomeness.

Shades of Dusk
From: Canada
 
Discography: ‘Caress The Despair’ (2006), ‘Quiescence’ (2008)
 
Shades of Dusk is a technical death-metal band currently signed to Prodisk Records. The bands lyrics typically deal with real-life experience and philosophy.
 
Shades of Dusk is:
Joffrey Chouinard- vocals
Louis-Philippe Leroux- guitar
Julien Rodrigue- bass
Sebastien Pilon- drums
 
Shades of Dusk have been a sort of sleeper-hit machine since their inception in 2006. Passing under even our own radar until last week when they came recommended to me from a reader on last.fm, the band has already released two full lengths and shared the stage with some impressive names. Melodic, fast and absent of those pesky breakdowns, Shades of Dusk is a far cry from many of the ‘core-acts’ they get lumped together with. Deathscript tested, Deathscript approved.
 
For fans of: Archons, Light This City
 
Links:   http://www.myspace.com/shadesofdusk

Aeternitas
From: Australia
 
Discography: ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ EP (2009)
 
Aeternitas is a symphonic metal band formed in early 2008. In late 2009, the band released their debut EP ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ recorded at Studio Anders Debeerz. Aeternitas is:
 
Sam Phillips- vocals
Nathan Riedel- guitars
Mitch Ketter- guitars
Jay Coulter- drums
Phil- keyboards
 
Aeternitas took it home when we asked our last.fm group members what  their favorite album of 2009 was. As a fairly young band, Aeternitas, since their inception, wowed audiences and open-minded critics alike. While I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly makes ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ so special, other than that it is refreshing... I can tell you that its worth more than the quick brush-over it has been given for the most part. This year’s ‘Best of ‘09’ lists were no more than underground popularity contests that, despite their contradicting nature, were pined over too long and suspiciously  bands like Aeternitas were absent. Despite not having the backing of a multi-million dollar label, Aeteritas put out one of the best albums of ’09.
 
Links: http://www.myspace.com/aeternitasmetal

I think almost every music fan, by nature is wary when someone in their favorite band or group has a ‘side-project’ Sadly for the most part it works out to be either a watered down version of the original band or ‘a different side’ of the artist you would have rather not seen. So with the hesitation of a virgin on prom night I listened to Forest of Fog, the black metal side project of one Ivo Henzi. Not exactly a household name (yet) but Henzi is from a little band you may have heard of recently, or seen sitting comfortably on their throne atop the folk-metal kingdom, Eluveitie.  Much to my surprise what I found around my third spin of the album Abgründe, was an extremely underrated black metal project that I, without hesitation this time, added to my ‘shelf of honor’ playlist. Densely atmospheric and brooding, Forest of Fog is a shining example of the kind of black metal I wish their was more of. Whether you love them as I do, or hate them- don’t let Henzi’s involvement with Eluveitie sway your opinion about Forest of Fog in either direction. Forest of Fog is very much a stand alone, and very much worth an honest and objective listen.

Not too long ago I was able to get in touch with Simon of Germany's own folk masters Finsterforst, to ask some questions about the new record, touring and being down a singer. We will post the interview sometime next week, probably Tuesday, so keep your eyes peeled.  In the mean time enjoy the track 'Urquell' from Finsterforst's latest, '...zum Tode hin' and have a great weekend!

 Though I have neglected to write about this German black metal outfit, Nocte Obducta’s albums Naktar: Teil 1 and 2 have been getting regular spins from me for sometime now. As a band, Nocte Obducta took a somewhat experimental approach to black metal, focusing on melody and technicality in lieu of traditional minimalism.

Born as Desihra, Nocte Obducta released their first full-length album in 1999 and six more since then. Much of the lyrical content of the band is rooted in traditional German poetry, nature and to some extent depression. In 2006 the band announced their split but released an album in 2008, mostly containing previously recorded drums and guitars. Nocte Obucta has, without ideology or prejudice, revolutionized black-metal- solidifying it once again, as many of the greats have before, an indefinable art medium. 

 After a long day of splendid new videos from Amorphis and Dark Tranquillity, some 'Wingthor's Hammer' from Equilibrium and hot tea will suffice.  I am off to ''Catch Them All'', you all have a great day. Don't forget to check out what's the latest buzz in our foum and enter this months contest for a copy of the Falling Down II compilation. 

How good are Sundays? Would you call them Nile good? Or maybe just Karl Sanders side project good? For this Sunday's Stream I am going to pull out all the stops and say it's going to be Nile good. So, from Nile's 2009 album 'Those Whom The Gods Detest', enjoy 'Kafir' then get out there and enjoy the last day of the weekend.